How could the Cleveland Cavaliers have landed Luka Doncic? If the Los Angeles Lakers pulled it off, the Cavaliers could have, too.
What always seemed like a thought exercise or a fan's 2k simulation actually happened this season when the perennial All-NBA guard Doncic was sent to the Lakers in a shocking overnight deal between Los Angeles and the Dallas Mavericks. Mavs fans have not responded well, especially as their team collapses immediately after with Kyrie Irving suffering a season-ending injury and the newest Maverick Anthony Davis struggling to stay healthy.
Meanwhile, Luka "El Matador" Doncic has led the Lakers' charge to become a legitimate Western Conference contender. Paired with LeBron James, Los Angeles has surged up to the third spot in the west, battling with the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors for a top seed ahead of the playoffs.
The 26-year-old superstar was off the heels of a Finals run with the Mavericks, adding another layer of confusion and unpredictability to the trade. In response, news sources scattered to find out how the unexpected deal manifested. Dallas had seemingly stayed quiet, reaching out to the Lakers about the Doncic trade in secret rather than holding a bidding war for the five-time All-Star.
If the Mavericks had opened up the market on Doncic publicly, every franchise would have placed their bid. NBA expert Bobby Marks broke down the best trade all 29 teams could have built for Luka Magic in a new ESPN+ article (subscription required). Looking at one of the most captivating "What If?" questions in recent NBA history, how could the Cavaliers have added Luka to the Land?
Cleveland's best bid
Despite setting franchise history this season, the Cavaliers would have undeniably offered a major return for Doncic. Placing the Slovenian legend next to Donovan Mitchell would give the Cavs the best backcourt in the NBA and a true franchise cornerstone for the rest of Evan Mobley's career.
Comparing Cleveland's trade package for the deal the Lakers sent to Dallas, the Cavs may have had a significantly more competitive offer than the ultimate winner. Without trading Mitchell or Mobley, the Cavaliers deal by Bobby Marks gives the Mavericks an elite defensive big man and rim runner alongside a captivating All-Star point guard. While Garland and Irving would be questionable defensively, the youth and talent these two players would provide is undeniable.
Both Allen and Garland have been pivotal players in Cleveland's first 60-win season since LeBron James. Garland returned to the All-Star roster for the first time since Mitchell's arrival, and Allen has been an iron man, playing every game this season. The Mavericks would have had a much higher return than what they got, but would the Cavaliers have been willing to agree to these terms?
Do the Cavs say yes?
Doncic is a generational talent. Garland and Allen are not. While Doncic has his defensive question marks, his offensive superstardom makes him an instant upgrade for any team. Additionally, adding him without trading Cleveland's best or second-best player in return would be a steal.
Considering that Allen and Garland have already been in a fair number of trade rumors over the past two offseasons, some legitimate and others entirely fabricated, they are the most likely candidates for this deal. What Luka provides is something neither player could do, despite their success and deserved respect throughout their Cavs tenures.
This season, Doncic is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists since joining the Lakers. His orchestration on offense is second to none, and both Mobley and Mitchell would have had the most open shots of their careers with Doncic manipulating the defense. Still, as Marks notes, such a massive trade could jeopardize the Cavs' chemistry and system.
While Doncic has been an instant boost for the Lakers, he would not fit coach Kenny Atkinson's system as quickly. Luka's playstyle mirrors what Los Angeles needs and how LeBron wants to play. Doncic allows James to play a facilitator role more than being the offensive engine. Additionally, Austin Reeves has taken advantage of Doncic's offensive gravity, stepping into the role as the third option exceptionally.
In Cleveland, however, Mitchell might not fit as well. Mobley certainly would do fine with Doncic, thriving off the pick-and-roll action. Donovan Mitchell is a different story, often needing the ball in his hands to create. Mitchell has morphed his game to be more team-centric, but he is still primarily ball-dominant. Expecting such a dramatic shift in his game mid-season could disrupt what they had alreay established in Rocket Arena.
Ultimately, arguing that any trade that brings Luka Doncic to the Cavaliers would be bad is foolish. He would instantly be the second-greatest NBA talent who ever wore wine and gold. While he might have disrupted the team chemistry initially, NBA players are professionals and can adapt their games to win. Doncic wins. Mitchell wants to win, and Mobley is constantly proving he has the potential to influence winning in the biggest moments.
This trade will never happen, but the Cleveland Cavaliers would have been exuberant if this trade was available to them this trade deadline.